Sensitivity and specificity of self‐reported acne in 18‐year‐old adolescent males |
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| Authors: | Hiram de Almeida Jr MD PhD Josayres Cecconi MSc MD Rodrigo P Duquia MD PhD Paulo R Souza MSc MD Juliano Breunig MD PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil;2. Department of Dermatology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil;3. Department of Dermatology, Santa Casa de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil;4. Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil;5. Department of Dermatology, Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | Background Self‐reporting is widely used in medical research. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of self‐reported lesions of acne (scars and active lesions) obtained by an interview with the examination carried out by a dermatologist. Methods A questionnaire was applied to male adolescents who registered for obligatory military service. After that, skin examination was carried out. Results Of the 2,191 adolescents examined, 474 (21.60%) showed acne scars, and 625 (28.51%) admitted to having scars. The sensitivity of self‐reported scars was 50.84%, and the specificity was 77.65%. The prevalence of active acne obtained by the dermatological examination was 85.76% and from self‐reported acne was 76.12%, with a sensitivity of 80.95% and a specificity of 52.88%. Neither schooling nor social class made any difference to sensitivity or specificity. Conclusions Our findings showed that sensitivity and specificity of self‐reported acne was very low, pointing out that, in a sample of adolescents, self‐reporting of acne shows itself as an inadequate instrument for epidemiological studies. |
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